NFL Player News

Culp (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

With Cade Otton overcoming a lingering groin injury to play Week 1, Culp will observe Sunday's game in street clothes while Payne Durham and Ko Kieft serve in backup roles at tight end. Culp managed to make the Bucs' 53-man roster after a strong training camp, but the 2024 seventh-rounder is unlikely to see much playing time unless Otton, Durham or Kieft were to miss time. Culp's next chance to play is Week 2 against Houston on Monday, Sept. 15.

The Ravens elevated Mitchell-Paden from the practice squad Saturday.

With Isaiah Likely (foot) still working his way back from injury, Mitchell-Paden will serve as the Ravens' third tight end behind Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar on Sunday night against the Bills.

The Saints elevated Stoll from the practice squad Saturday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Stoll will provide depth at the position behind Juwan Johnson and Moliki Matavao. Never much of a pass catcher, Stoll has 22 career catches for 193 scoreless yards across 61 career regular-season appearances.

Dissly secured his only target for 18 yards during Los Angeles' 27-21 win over the Chiefs on Friday.

Dissly played more offensive snaps (37) than Conklin (28), but the former was outproduced in the receiving game. Dissly's lone target, which he turned into an 18-yard reception, came in the fourth quarter, while Conklin managed 50 yards on two targets, both of which he secured. Dissly and Conklin will again split reps at tight end in Week 2 on the road against Las Vegas on Monday night, but the Chargers' passing attack appears intent on funneling through starting wideouts Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston.

Conklin secured both of his targets for 50 yards during the Chargers' 27-21 win over the Chiefs on Friday night. He also rushed once for two yards.

Conklin made the most of his limited opportunities in the receiving game Friday, while top wideouts Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston combined for a total of 26 of 34 possible targets. Conklin also played just 43 percent of offensive snaps, while fellow tight end Will Dissly (targeted once for an 18-yard gain) played 57 percent of snaps. Even in what preliminarily looks like a more pass-friendly offense led by Justin Herbert, Conklin and Dissly likely won't be major factors in the receiving game given Los Angeles' depth at wide receiver. They project to again split reps at tight end versus the Raiders on Monday night in Week 2.

Gray brought in his lone target for three yards during the Chiefs' 27-21 loss to the Chargers on Friday night.

Gray played 41 percent of offensive snaps behind top tight end Travis Kelce, but even with Xavier Worthy (shoulder) being forced off the field after three snaps and Rashee Rice (suspension) unavailable, Gray's target share didn't notably increase. He'll again contribute behind Kelce as Kansas City prepares for a Super Bowl rematch against the Eagles in Week 2.

Kelce secured two of four targets for 47 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs' 27-21 loss to the Chargers on Friday night.

It was shaping up as an utterly forgettable night for Kelce until his early fourth-quarter 37-yard touchdown grab, as he had just one catch for 10 yards until that point and had collided with teammate Xavier Worthy on the third play from scrimmage, causing a shoulder injury that forced the latter's exit from the game. Kelce's score therefore served as the only highlight of his night, and with Worthy out, both Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster outpaced the talented tight end in targets. Kelce could well see an increase in opportunity during a Week 2 home Super Bowl LIX rematch against the Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 14, especially if Worthy remains sidelined for that marquee contest.

Wiley (coach's decision) is inactive for Friday's game against the Chargers, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Wiley appeared in seven regular-season games for the Chiefs as a rookie in 2024, though he saw only 97 total snaps. He slipped behind Robert Tonyan on the depth chart this offseason and will begin 2025 on the inactive list.

Gadsden (coach's decision) is listed as inactive for Friday's game versus Kansas City, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

The Chargers apparently feel good rolling into Week 1 with just Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin available at tight end, so Gadsden will have to wait at least another week to make his regular-season debut. His absence might mean a few more snaps from the slot for Keenan Allen.

Schoonmaker failed to catch his only target in Thursday's 24-20 loss to the Eagles.

The third-year tight end had a limited role, as expected, while working behind starter Jake Ferguson. Schoonmaker's hold on the No. 2 spot on the depth chart may not be secure, either, despite his standing as a 2023 second-round pick -- he played 15 snaps on offense to Brevyn Spann-Ford's 10, and the latter made a more noticeable impact with his blocking.